How a quiet voice led the way for others

Last Saturday, I struggled to sing “Hark the herald angels sing” as tears clouded my eyes and my voice began to shake.  

It was one of two songs long-time volunteer Carolyn Frid asked to be sung at her funeral. She left us at the age of 60 after a battle with cancer.

Carolyn was one of the first people I met when I settled in Barrie in 1989.

Carolyn Frid will be remembered for her kindness and countless hours of volunteer work.

A Brownie leader, I quickly plugged into the local Girl Guide network to make some friends and make a difference.

Carolyn, a mom and a nurse at Royal Victoria Hospital, served as not only an example for young girls in the Brownie and Guide units, but also for women on committees – including the one that would develop 100 acres in Springwater Township - now known as Camp Tewateno.

The development of the camp seemed like a dream back in 1989 as we worked on finding a site, while continuing to raise funds – whether through cookie blitzes or hot dog sales.

We finally purchased the site in the early 1990s and began work. Carolyn's gentle voice surely still quietly whispers through the trees just outside of Midhurst.

Her work stretched far beyond the camp. She always led her church’s efforts to buy Christmas presents for families sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association – people who were easy to overlook. She was always inspiring people to think of others and join in the community effort to help others.

After the church congregation would fill a towering Christmas tree with mittens, hats and socks, Carolyn would sort them by size and ensure they were distributed to Barrie Out of the Cold, the Busby Centre and to individuals she knew needed them.

She never had much to say, but when she quietly did, we listened.

She lived the Brownie law we both taught all those years ago: A Brownie thinks of other people before herself.

And what do we hear? Now that she’s gone, the angels singing.